Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Knight or any of its characters.
Warning: This fanfiction is eventually KanaZero fanfiction pairing, NOT KanaYuki or ZeroYuki.
"The rumors don't do you justice," the pureblood began, securing Zero's hand in his, then he bent his head, bringing Zero's hand to his lips, "Zero Kiryu."
Zero remained rigid, jaw tightly set, eyes trapped on the pureblood still clasping his hand. It was becoming extremely difficult to remain in denial, or even skeptical, of Kaname's claims to Zero's vampire allure, which just made him tenser.
The atmosphere seemed devoid of air, for all except the new student, who began sensually purring as he inhaled Zero's scent, burning crimson eyes peering up through thick black lashes and locking with Zero's. "Delicious," he hummed, licking his lips, which just recently left Zero's hand.
Within a second Bloody Rose was patiently resting against the vampire's temple.
"One of the first rules of Cross Academy, do not drink the blood of any human or unwilling individual," the threat quite clear in Zero's voice.
The pureblood straightened to his full height, a few centimeters taller than Zero, while releasing his hand, but he kept a suggestive smirk planted on his handsome features. Slowly, he brought his right hand up, and began lightly caressing Bloody Rose with his fingers, running them up and down the length of the barrel, small tendrils of light dancing between the gun and the vampire's outstretched hand.
Zero brought his other hand up to more securely grasp Bloody Rose, keeping his eyes trained for any sudden movements from the pureblood.
"I've always found it so provocative to be introduced to a hunter's weapon." The vampire's eyelids lowered suggestively, continuing to lightly fondle Bloody Rose, "they're so …brutal," he murmured, his tongue rewetting his moistened lips.
Zero's aura radiated confusion, as he fought an internal battle of priorities, between preservation of self or Bloody Rose's innocence. Meanwhile, shock finally released her captives, and the others began to stir.
Kaname felt an unwelcomed pang of aggression spike in him, as seeing this pureblood playing with Kiryu, but channeled it. "I had heard about your forwardness Sadayo-san, but I always believed such claims to be exaggerations."
A new look caught on the Sadayo's face, as his brow lifted, and the redness bleed from his eyes finally to settle on a frosty blue. "Yes Kuran-san, we cannot all be blessed with the same propensity for overcomplicating situations that you have," his honey-toned voice belying his insinuation. "But you carry it so gracefully Kuran-san, one would think it a burden." Sadayo ended his statement, finally tearing his eyes from Zero's face, which had held the pureblood captive almost as much as the strong pulse and smell of delicious blood flowing through Kiryu's tauntingly exposed neck.
"The capacity for higher thinking may indeed appear a burden to you, but I can assure you, it is not as onerous as you suggest. Perhaps in a few decades you'll share my sentiments." Kuran caught the expression of amusement that flitted across Zero's face, and he felt a small thrill of warmth for putting it there.
Sadayo's syrupy smile grew, but it only seemed to emphasize the malice alight in his eyes as the two purebloods stood a few paces apart, gazes locked, vehement aura's swallowing the small gathering.
"Come now Sadayo-san, we are both here for the same cause?"
"Are we?" Sadayo inquired, giving Kuran a quick scan, sizing up the competition, he was a tad shorter than Kuran, and had to admit that Kuran could probably best him, but he didn't back down.
"The desire for co-existence is an important cause, so let us not quibble over trifling matters? After all, we are peers now." Kaname continued with perfectly practiced politeness, which was disarming in its apparent sincerity.
"Yes, lets," Sadayo replied, slightly pacified by Kuran's apparent lack of interest in Zero.
"Excuse me? If you would like, may I lead you to your room?" Takuma inquired, taking preemptive measures to prevent another discomfiting moment.
"Hm? Yes of course, Akio, hurry up with luggage."
"Yes sir."
"You are the new head of the Ichijou family, are you not?" the pureblood inquired, turning to face Takuma.
Zero sent Takuma an apologetic look over Sadayo's shoulder, aiding the return of Takuma's genuine smile, which had faltered at the inquiry. "Yes, that is correct Sadayo-sama. How do you do," Takuma said politely and proceeded to bow.
Sadayo nodded, and stepped through the open doorway Akio trailing after, weighed down with luggage, and followed up by Takuma, who pulled the door shut after him.
After a few seconds of silence, Aidou turned to Kain and Luca, "Did you forget Kaname-sama's request, or do you simply dislike Kiryu that much?"
"Shut up Hana, we didn't really have a choice," Luca retorted.
"Kaname-sama asked us to keep Kiryu safe and you just parted ways and let Sadayo-sama walk right up to Kiryu." A pink flush settled across Zero's nose and cheeks, at Aidou's proclaimation; it was quite flattering to his features and drew the attention of both Kuran's, and Aidou.
Luca, who was still flustered with Hanabusa's accusations was about to snap back at Aidou when Kaname interrupted, "Enough you two. Chairman, I think it would be best if Kiryu-kun wasn't present for the remainder of the arrivals."
The Chairman stood slightly apart from the group, glasses glazed, and took a second to snap from his stupor to respond. "Um…I wasn't expecting that to happen." Kaien remained shell-shocked, then brought his hands to his face and allowed a dreamy expression, "My little son has gained the attention of royalty, maybe he'll soon find love."
Jaws dropped at Cross's proclamation, and Yuki shook her head, the Chairman always used to say the worst things in front of Zero, time apparently hadn't changed him. But her eyebrows pinched together in bafflement, when she looked back on it, though his tactics were wrong, Kaien had usually had a healing intent behind his comments. What was he doing now?
But it was Zero's voice who broken the stunned silence, "Kuran," both Kuran's turned to face him, his voice sounded a mixture of fatigue and surrender, "why do you want me to leave?"
Kaname took a moment, after what just happened, he was surprised Zero hadn't stormed off already, and now, instead of taking the offered excuse, Zero was asking him why he should be sent away. Zero was indeed unique. Kaname was about to respond when he sensed the approach of two new purebloods.
A sleek, black, classic pulled into view, with a small moving van behind it. The car stopped in front of the steps and a chauffer hurried opening one door, while bowing, then running around to open the opposite door and again bowing. Out of both doors stepped two elegant young figures, one male, the other female. The female stood closer, she wore a low, draping, salmon chiffon dress, which caressed her curves and complemented her pale skin, light blonde hair and mahogany eyes. Striding around the car to join her, the young man wore a well tailored gray suit, and had honey eyes and light brown hair that complemented his handsomely structured face.
"Well Kuran-san, Chairman, you should not have gone through the trouble of arranging a welcoming party simply for us," the young man's jovial tone and aura starkly contrasting with that of his partner.
"How do you do," she said in a monotone, inclining her head slightly to show deference. As she raised her eyes from the ground they caught on Zero, and her aura darkened in a confusing union of jealousy and enchantment.
"It is nice to have you join us at Cross Academy, Kawakami-san, Shiroyama-san," Kaname greeted. Kawakami gave a delayed bow, a cheerful smile gracing his features. Yuki watched him in fascination, he had such a different aura from any other pureblood she had met before, she couldn't quite understand it. However, Kaname followed Shiroyama's gaze, she had already spotted Kiryu and based on her aura, things did not bode well for the young hunter.
Kiryu had remained by the door, but because of the earlier commotion he was no longer shielded by a wall of nobles. Nonetheless, something in Zero's posture no longer screamed apprehension. Zero appeared less concerned.
"So you're the hunter all of the fuss is about?" Shiroyama questioned, voice sweet, but laced with vitriol, her full attention now on Kiryu.
"There are many hunters," was Zero's simple reply.
Shiroyama smiled, she not only liked his response, but after a rather pregnant assessing scan of the young hunter she was delighted by the physique which promised to be hidden under his clothes, the captivating beauty of the hunters features, and the lust-inducing power which radiated from the stoic young 'D'. "I don't think I would mind sharing you with Hideaki-kun after all." Kiryu's eyebrow quirked and jaw clenched, the only outer signs of irritation.
"Shiroyama-san, you are still betrothed with Sadayo-san then?" Kuran said, in polite monotone. Not betraying how irked he was by her roving eyes crawling on the hunter.
"Has Hideaki already arrived?" Shiroyama asked politely, but the melancholy in her aura betrayed her. Her avoidance of Kaname's question did not go unnoticed.
"Yes," Kuran began, just as Takuma slipped out from the door, he seemed slightly flustered, but unharmed. "Sadayo-san arrived just before both of you. Takuma was Sadayo's room to his liking?"
Takuma nodded, "Yes," his nervous smile hinting at a story he would later tell Kaname. During this brief distraction Kawakami took leave of Shiroyama's side and pranced up the steps to Zero, who managed to maintain a highly disciplined air of nonchalance.
"So you are the remainder of the Kiryu clan," Kawakami stated, which earned him a look of some intense emotion from Zero. Suddenly somber, Kawakami murmured, "you and I are both the last of our bloodlines." Then in a transformation Zero had known only Kaien to be capable of, Kawakami broke into a grin proclaiming loudly "Ne, Kiryu-kun, do you feel the pull of destiny? No, don't answer; words are beyond this type of connection." Kawakami had placed a finger across Zero's lips, which Zero quickly pushed away, and continued, "I can already tell how strongly you and I feel for each other. But alas, I will keep quiet, to refrain from making the others envious of our incredible love." Shiroyama gave him a disinterested look.
Zero's eyebrow was quirked, but he quickly changed it when he saw, what he assumed to be, a similar expression reflected on Kuran's face. "Kawakami-sempai," Zero began with a slight nod of his head, as close to a bow as any pureblood would ever get. He turned and repeated the gesture to Shiroyama, "I am this schools prefect and will severally punish anyone who disregards school policy, which Kuran and the Chairman will cover with you…" Zero paused, and his expression hardened, "if you'll excuse me, I must go." Zero gave another stiff nod, and left.
Everyone starred after him. Though for Zero, this was considerably polite, Kuran was still unsure of how the other purebloods would take Kiryu's manners, but then he smelt it. The reason Kiryu had left so abruptly came with the wind. The scent of several Day Class students, no doubt curious about the arrival of new peers, wafted teasingly through the air.
Cross took the lull in excitement as a chance to usher the new students into the Moon dorms. "Come on, let's get everyone situated, and I will go over the regulations of this academy once more."
Kawakami looked at the Chairman; head tilted cutely, "Chairman Cross, would it be acceptable to find our rooms and unpack while waiting for the rest of the new students to arrive? Or are we the last?"
Kaien's eyebrows rose at the question, "you are not the last, you'll be shown to your rooms first if that is what you wish."
Takuma stepped forward, bowed, "It is a pleasure to meet you; I am Takuma Ichijou, currently acting Vice President of the Moon Dorms. May I lead you to your rooms?"
Kawakami split into an ear-to-ear grin, giving Takuma a quick scan, and nodded, "yes, it would be a pleasure, I'm sure."
Takuma blushed lightly, "We will also assist you," Shiki stated, his monotone voice barely betraying the loyalty his actions implied, as he and Rima followed Kawakami and Shiroyama through the open door, with Takuma. Shiroyama could be heard quietly asking Takuma about the location of Sadayo's room, to a reply of nervous laughter.
Aidou looked over at Chairman Cross, slightly distraught, how were they supposed to deal with three new purebloods, "how many new students are coming?"
"Well there is one more pureblood student, but he won't make it for another two days," Kaien said thoughtfully, and Aidou and Luca blanched, Kain gave a huff of disapproval. "And there are an additional twenty-seven other new students of either noble or common class," Cross added, as if an after-thought.
While Aidou went into hysterics, Yuki turned to her brother, "Kaname-kun?"
"Yes Yuki?"
"Do you think something is wrong with Zero? Normally, he would never have allowed a vampire to touch him so intimately without there being a fight."
Kaname nodded, he thought it odd too, but then again, everything he thought he knew of Zero had been shattered in the last few days. "It's curious," Kaname agreed and made a mental note. "But shall we head in for now?" Kaname asked leaning down slightly and looking at Yuki with adoring eyes, and a smile, "otherwise we will be hearing about the pedigrees of every arriving noble, without Kiryu here to distract them."
Yuki smiled, she had noticed a small change in her dear brother after last night. "Yes, lets."
The evening progressed, and the noble and common students came in a continuous stream. Zero never returned to the Moon Dorms, as the delinquent Day Class students kept him busy. Cross held several informational meetings with the new students, but as the night progressed he handed the task over to Kaname and Takuma.
Overall, the night progressed without any extreme turmoil; however, there were awkward moments here and there. Some of the new, level B and C students would simply ogle Kaname as he walked past or addressed them. Shiroyama made a brief appearance, but quickly retreated to her room under the awestruck gaze of her peers. Sadayo seemed unaffected, but did not necessarily deign many of the new-comers important enough to engage in conversation. Only Kawakami seemed to find the campus-life exciting. He was eagerly talking with the other new students, and remained the center of attention unless Kaname entered the room, at which point Kawakami would happily cede the spotlight to the prince of their race.
By the end of the night, both Kuran's were watching Kawakami's charismatic displays, Yuki entranced and Kaname unsettled.
As Kaien had walked to his car he could hear the delighted squeals of the Day Class girls, first class change-over with the additional students had begun. He drove on, the light of day slowly dying, the suns balmy rays clinging to the land and sky, not yet ready to relinquish the world to the cold, reflected light of the moon. In time Cross arrived at a large manor; parking in its large circular drive Cross strode up the endless stairs, and gently knocked on the doorway. The door crept open, the atrium that welcomed him was dimly lit.
"It is a pleasure to finally see you in the flesh Cross Kaien," a low voice drifted through the stale air. "I hope my daughter's move onto campus has not been a trouble."
"Yes, there were no problems. She will be well looked after."
"I'm glad to hear it. Would you indulge me by joining me for a late evening snack over a game of chess? It is my favorite game after all."
"How could I refuse?" Kaien replied, stepping further into the grand, dark house, his normal sweet childishness left somewhere back at the Academy.
At midnight Cross returned to campus, immediately heading to the prefect's lookout in search of Kiryu, his childlike demeanor already returning.
Upon seeing the silver-haired beauty peering down on the school, protecting his dream, Cross allowed a proud fatherly smile for a moment, before pouncing on his son in an attempt to finally get that desired hug. "Zero-rin, you're so cruel," Kaien wined after having his forehead caught by Zero's palm in firm opposition.
"What do you want Kaien?" Zero asked, his mood unimproved from the previous night.
Kaien immediately stopped his antics, switching to a more serious tone, he stopped leaning on Zero's palm and waving his arms. "Meet me at the house in fifteen minutes; there is something we need to discuss."
Zero eyed him, then nodded.
"Oh, and Zero please come with an open mind."
Before Zero could ask Cross was gone, so Zero did another quick round of the school grounds before heading to the Chairman's quarters. As he walked closer he could feel the presence of pureblood inside.
A/N: My apologies about this chapter, I had severe writers block, but am willing to rewrite this chapter upon request. Please tell me what you think of the OC's thus far, if you find they ruin your reading experience tell me, and I'll see what I can do. Apologies that this chapter was not full of KanaZero moments, but that will come next chapter if you are all so kind as to continue to want to read my work.
I wanted to thank everyone who has reviewed thus far. Your encouragement keeps me writing, I hope this chapter hasn't made you regret that.
Thank you.
